Identifier
etd-07112014-143520
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department
Chemistry
Document Type
Dissertation
Abstract
A sample stage for characterizing photoactive materials was developed for studies with scanning probe microscopy (SPM). A sample stage was designed that directs light from a solar simulator via a fiber optic cable to illuminate the sample. Current-sensing and photocurrent measurements can be acquired with a conductive tip. The designed photocurrent stage can be used for SPM systems with a tip-mounted scanner. Current-sensing measurements can be taken with or without illumination to measure the current produced from organic photovoltaic (OPV) or photoconductive samples. Topography, lateral force and current-sensing images are acquired simultaneously, providing information of how nanoscale morphology affects the measured current. Particle lithography was used to prepare nanostructures of OPV materials for photoconductive measurements. Nanopillars of polythiophene ranging from ~20 – 80 nm in thickness were grafted from indium tin oxide (ITO) surfaces. Samples were characterized with the photocurrent sample stage to directly test how nanoscale changes in film thickness affect the measured current. Current-voltage measurements indicate the polythiophene nanopillars are photoactive. The nanostructured test platform provided an unprecidented scale and morphology of photoactive brush polymers for dark and photocurrent measurements. Films of polynitrophenylene grafted to Au(111) surfaces via photoredox catalysis were investigated with contact-mode atomic force microscopy (AFM). The parameters of concentration of starting material and duration of sample illumination were studied. Films of increasing thickness were prepared from longer illumination times and higher concentrations of the starting materials. Particle lithography provided an internal standard for film thickness measurements. Rare earth oxide materials were nanopatterned using particle lithography. Precursor salts of rare earth oxide materials located on surfaces surrounding the base of mesospheres. The dried nanorings of salt were heated at 800 oC to produce crystalline materials on two transparent surfaces for further luminescence studies. The nanorings were analyzed for signs of Ostwald ripening or physical changes that may have occurred during the heating process and crystal phase transition.
Date
2014
Document Availability at the Time of Submission
Secure the entire work for patent and/or proprietary purposes for a period of one year. Student has submitted appropriate documentation which states: During this period the copyright owner also agrees not to exercise her/his ownership rights, including public use in works, without prior authorization from LSU. At the end of the one year period, either we or LSU may request an automatic extension for one additional year. At the end of the one year secure period (or its extension, if such is requested), the work will be released for access worldwide.
Recommended Citation
Verberne-Sutton, Susan Denise, "Application of Scanning Probe Microscopy to Characterize Physical Properties of Polymer Brushes, Photoactive Polymers and Rare Earth Oxide Nanostructures" (2014). LSU Doctoral Dissertations. 3558.
https://repository.lsu.edu/gradschool_dissertations/3558
Committee Chair
Garno, Jayne
DOI
10.31390/gradschool_dissertations.3558